I like to ride my bicycle.

2016-12-09

What is Milwaukee known for? While breweries, cheese, and the Summerfest Music Festival may be some of the first things that come to mind (and all true), other perks of the city are the amount of green space and the bike culture. A big part of the growing cycling scene is Bublr Bikes MKE, Milwaukee’s bike share program. Within the past year, Bublr’s cheerfully colored blue bikes( and loading docks) have spread throughout the city, and riders can be seen cruising around on them daily.

City Year Milwaukee strives to provide quality-of-life perks for all our AmeriCorps members. We are always exploring ways to partner with other organizations to enhance our AmeriCorps members' service experience. In the past, perks have included joining Teachtown’s Key to the City program and helping our AmeriCorps get access to energy assistance to reduce heating costs during the winter. The growth of Bublr sparked an idea: what would a partnership between Bublr and City Year Milwaukee look like?

The answer: a generous discount for City Year AmeriCorps members and opportunities for collaboration between Bublr and City Year Milwaukee in youth programming. James Davies from Bublr Bikes MKE explains that “Bublr is excited to offer City Year Milwaukee AmeriCorps members a discounted annual pass in recognition of the great work they do in Milwaukee Public Schools and in hopes that some of these talented young people will stay in Milwaukee after their time with City Year." During their year of service, City Year AmeriCorps members are able to purchase an annual membership at just $8, instead of the usual $80 – a 90% discount!

City Year Milwaukee hopes this “quality-of-life perk” will enhance our AmeriCorps members’ ability to explore Milwaukee and maintain a good work-life balance. Additionally, it is also a testament to the support and appreciation community has for their service to Milwaukee’s youth.

City Year Milwaukee would like to give a huge THANK YOU to Bublr Bikes MKE for your generous support of our AmeriCorps members! Some words of gratitude from our AmeriCorps members directly:

Hey, Bublr! Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to use your bikes at a discounted rate. It has allowed me to explore Milwaukee!

-Lauren Villasenor, Team Leader, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha team
serving at James Madison Academic Campus

Not only are Bublr bikes good for the environment, but they're good for me! I can easily explore new parts of our city without worrying about gas or parking!